In the kingdom of Aggadorn, seventeen-year-old Larra Stoneworth of the village of Farr discovers she has a strange magical power. But the law for humans having such magic is simple: death. When word of Larra’s gift reaches the palace, the king’s son is sent to capture her and bring her to trial. During their journey from Larra’s small village to the city, Larra faces dangers unlike any she has ever imagined. Though Larra’s magic may seem a threat to some, another far more sinister threat emerges that endangers the life of everyone—even the king himself.

An innocent girl with powers she didn’t know she had. A noble prince sent to imprison her. A powerful counselor gone mad with jealousy. An evil plot. A death sentence. And above all, the strength of one young woman to do what is right, no matter the consequences.

Get ready for a splendid tale with a touch of romance. I loved it! Many young adult readers will love this as well.

Larra Stoneworth is a strong protagonist and fiercely protective of those she loves. She lives with her grandmother and when Larra is accused of being a witch, she must go before the king and stand trial. The king's captain and his men are sent to retrieve her. Christoff is a fair man but does not want to trust a witch. And so, the journey begins.

Book two is already out. Squee! This is a book that shouldn't be overlooked. Grab your copy and settle in to the Kingdom of Aggadorn.

Monday, February 12, 2018

Vincent Carpenter’s life is a wreck. He has given up his dreams. He has lost his job after an economic disaster. His ten-year marriage is crumbling. Then he awakens in a maniacal land of frighteningly vivid realism with skull trees, glowing forests, ravenous beasts, and other psychologically haunting adversity.

While traveling through this demented unearthly world, he has a chance encounter with a beautiful maiden dressed in green; before he can start a conversation, she disappears into the unknown. Vincent must try to find her at a fantastical place known as the Spitting Post. But first he must overcome many macabre misfortunes and face nightmares that question his sanity. Will he reach her? What will the Spitting Post reveal? Will he suffer more disappointment and tragedy? Or will he find peace at last?

I'm giving this five stars for originality. Compelling from the first page. This is told from a first person viewpoint. I was completely surprised and immensely pleased at how good this is. After reading the blurb, I was intrigued. When starting to read about Vincent Carpenter, you get pulled in at the beginning. There's this need to know more in this strange fantasy world with a medley of even stranger characters throughout.

Vincent is on a quest to find The Green Maiden, and so his adventure begins. Lots of craziness and evil things are lurking in this one-man journey, so keep your eyes open. If you're looking for something different, this is it.